Promote adolescent immunization: Indian Academy of Paediatrics

NAGPUR: Every year, the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) comes up with guidelines for its members on the immunization schedule that should be followed for children and adolescents. These guidelines are based on the available evidence on the safety, efficacy and need of the vaccines. This year's focus is to reduce the number of infant deaths in the country and promoting adolescent immunization as some diseases though not seen among younger kids are being seen among the elder lot.

As the new team of city branch of IAP took over the reins from their predecessors, the national president elect of the academy, Mumbai-based Dr Vijay Yewale, visited the city. Among other things, he discussed the academy's new immunization schedule with the city doctors. With the ever-advancing medical science, parameters that govern the use of vaccines change and so there arises need to introduce some changes in the guidelines every year, he explained. The vaccines suggested by the academy are not necessarily introduced in the national immunization programme (NIP).

"India is the biggest contributor to the death of under-5 children in the world. Pneumonia and diarrhoea are emerging as the biggest killers. IAP believes in promoting and practicing low cost measures like breastfeeding, hygiene and an overall improvement in the surroundings of a child. However, we also believe that vaccines like the pnemunococcal and rotavirus are important preventive tools," said Dr Yewale adding that these vaccines should also be included in the NIP. Following the swine flu pandemic, doctors have seen some cases of influenza which can be prevented through vaccination among some at-risk children, he said.

It's not just infants that concern the IAP, though. "Diseases like diphtheria and whooping cough, though on the decline among infants due to compulsory DTP vaccination, are resurfacing in adolescents in some parts of the country. To boost the immunity against these diseases among this age group, Tdap vaccines need to be promoted," said Dr Yewale. The country also contributes hugely to the global burden of cervical cancer which can be prevented if all young girls are given HPV vaccine, he added.

The paediatrician also expressed delight that there have been no cases of polio in the country for the last two years. "This was possible because of strategic use of the oral polio vaccine. Now, its time to plan for total eradication of the disease through continuous surveillance and alternatives like injectable polio vaccine," he said.